You Might NOT Be the Babysitter

Wow, today has been a whirlwind.  After taking my car to the shop yesterday, I got a call saying that it needed a $400 repair (yikes!).  So, I had to use the backup car to take my daughter to story time today (#firstworldproblems).  After returning home, I worked on a few projects.  One of those projects is related to my post from Friday about the US Census Bureau and their classification of dads in the same category as babysitters.  To help raise awareness of the issue, there are a few ways you can get involved.

So, how can you help us change the US Census Bureau's definition of dad from "babysitter" to "parent"?

You can sign this petition started by Daddy's Home, Inc. (The National At-Home Dad Network).  It basically asks the government to reconsider how it categorizes fathers who provide child care and essentially end the "designated parent" tag that automatically goes to moms.

Also, you can change your Facebook photos to the ones that I am currently using.  They will be active until we reach 1,000 signatures.

Finally, you can join the Twitter campaign to spread the word.  I have set up a Facebook group where you can simply copy and paste your tweets into whatever you use to schedule them (Hoot Suite, Buffer, etc).  The tweets are a play on Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be A Redneck" and feature the line "You might NOT be the babysitter."  It highlights the extreme differences between fathers and babysitters and provides a link to sign the petition.  So, friend me on Facebook, and request to join the group, and you could be sending out tweets like this:

"If when you're done taking care of the kids, your commute is a hallway, you might NOT be the babysitter. Sign the petition http://www.change.org/petitions/dads-dont-babysit"

In other news, I have just been notified that I am officially a blogger for two very different sites - The Good Men Project and The Balancing Act.  Beginning in March, I will be writing for them at least once per month. I look forward to the challenge of writing to two very different audiences.  Thanks to all of you for your loyal readership.  I promise to be funny on Friday!